What's left of the Miami Dolphins' bubble boys can be broken down into two groups of long shots.

The real long shots, many of whom are fence-riders among the 70 players left on the Dolphins' training camp roster.

Those are the guys who will either make the Dolphins' 53-man roster, or get relocated, possibly landing with another NFL team once the waiver wire gets plucked to death. And even if some of these guys initially make the 53, it doesn't mean they'll be sticking around all season. Last season Jalen Parmalee initially made the 53, but a few weeks later was snuck onto the practice squad, where he was eventually poached by the Ravens.

Those fence-riders are:

DT Paul Soliai- Soliai will likely be kept as insurance for the aging Jason Ferguson. He's shown significant improvement this training camp, but hasn't proven he's starter material in 2010 yet. But Soliai has proven he belongs in the NFL.

WR Brandon London – He's the team's most physical receiver, and one of it's top special teams players. But has he made enough improvement since being plucked off the waiver wire last season? What's the upside? If the Dolphins keep six receivers he's safe. If not he'll quickly get snatched up. Trading him is also an option.

O-lineman Brandon Frye - He's versatile enough to play tackle and guard, which means he's got roster flexibility. If cut he'll likely land on his feet with another team. The trade that sent Ike Ndukwe and Andy Alleman to the Chiefs strengthened his chances of making the O-line cut if the Dolphins keep nine offensive linemen on the 53-man roster.

DT Tony McDaniel – He was dominant against Jacksonville, his former team. But the level of production dropped off against Carolina and Tampa Bay. He's likely on the roster because of his potential and size, but what type of player is he? Is he one with upside, or someone who is merely keeping a seat warm?

CB Jason Allen - He clearly hasn't lived up to his first-round status, but this converted safety is one of the team's better special teams contributors. His physical tools tease you, but his struggles to master the scheme and technique turn you off. It's likely the Dolphins will keep him in a break-in-case of emergency role, or try to ship him to some cornerback starved team just like they did Travis Daniels last season.

TE Joey Haynos - Neither Haynos nor rookie tight end John Nalbone have done enough to warrant that third tight end spot on the 53-man roster. But considering how much tight ends are used by offensive coordinator Dan Henning it'd be wise to keep one so they'd know the offense in case something happened to Anthony Fasano or David Martin. Haynos is the better blocker, but hasn't caught a pass yet this preseason.

OLB Erik Walden - He's an impressive special teams contributor, but this college defensive end hasn't proven he's a promising outside linebacker yet. There have been flashes, but no consistency. How he performs in the final exhibition games will likely determine his fate because the Dolphins already plan to keep five outside linebackers on the roster.

OLB Quentin Moses – Tony Sparano has taken a liking to Moses, the former Georgia standout. Moses isn't a very strong special teams player. But he has shown enough promise as a pass rusher to warrant a third season of developmental time. But keeping him on the 53-man roster would be a luxury at this point.

DE Rodrique Wright - Last season the Dolphins kept Wright, the team's 2006 seventh-round pick, as insurance in case injuries depleted the front line. He actually played in the playoff game against Baltimore when Randy Starks was sidelined by a leg injury. It's hard to find 3-4 ends, which means Wright has value. The two positions the Trifecta believe you can never have enough of is offensive and defensive linemen. But I suspect this is the year Wright becomes the odd man out because he's no longer young.

ILB William Kershaw - He's shown drastic improvement from a year ago, but Kershaw's practice squad eligibility has finally expired. The Dolphins already have three inside linebackers they like, and it'd be stretching the 53-man roster to keep a fourth. While he's a decent special teams player, there doesn't appear to be much more upside here, and that's what the Dolphins are looking for when deciding which bubble boys go and stay.

S Courtney Bryan – The physicality he brings to the back-end of the defense is promising, and his special teams contributions are solid. But the Dolphins already have four safeties on the 53-man roster, and it's unlikely they'll keep five even though they did last season. However, Bryan had a strong training camp, and a respectable exhibition showing.

FB Joe Kowalewski - This former Jet seems like a better lead blocker than Lousaka Polite (Mr. First Down), and his hands are decent. But do the Dolphins have room to carry two fullbacks. I think not.

CB Joey Thomas - Outside of his horrendous game against St. Louis last season, Thomas has proven himself to be a reliable fill-in option. Since Eric Green's release he's stepped his game up. He's decent on the boundary, and holds his own on special teams. But there is little to no upside here.

And then there are those who are practice squad options for the Dolphins. This is just a list of people eligible for the eight-player practice squad. Doesn't mean a couple won't make the Dolphins' 53-man roster, or someone else's. Just means they are developmental options.

That batch of developmental players includes:

RB Lex Hilliard – His physical running style has been impressive, and the fact he's contributing on special teams strengthens his chance of making the 53-man roster. But keeping four tailbacks on the 53-man roster is a stretch. There's no guarantee he'll be poached if the team tries to sneak him onto the practice squad. There are plenty of unestablished running backs who are tearing it up in the exhibition season that will be cut in a week.

WR James Robinson - Anthony Armstrong botched his chance to unseat London for that sixth receiver spot weeks ago, and he got cut on Saturday. Robinson's combination of size and speed intrigues the Trifecta. He's raw, but appears promising. But they might find other receivers to poach and add to the practice squad.

TE John Nalbone (fifth-round pick in 2009) - Nalbone is an above average route runner, and he's improved a lot since things began slowing down for him. But he could use a year in the weight room. There's upside here, but the Monmouth standout need a lot of polishing.

O-linemen Andrew Gardner (sixth-round pick in 2009), Nate Garner & Mark Lewis - Gardner will likely make the 53-man roster because he's got left tackle feet, and has proven he's worth the investment. The Dolphins need at least three tackles on the 53-man roster because tackles are extremely hard to find. Garner, whom the Dolphins poached from the Jets last season, flashed some potential during the spring, but apparently that was when he peaked. Keeping him on the 53-man roster would be a luxury, but it's a long shot they could sneak him onto the practice squad because of how tackles are in demand. Lewis is decent, and has some versatility. But I'm not sure he's worth developing. The Dolphins might explore other options on the waiver wire.

D-linemen Lionel Dotson (seventh-round pick in 2008), Ryan Baker - Dotson is eligible for the practice squad because he played on a limited basis last season. But it's doubtful the team will cut him loose because they'd likely lose their initial investment when another team poaches him. He's a decent pass rusher, but his all-around game needs more refinement. Baker is a hustler who has impressed me from time to time. But how much upside does he have?

LB J.D. Folsom (seventh-round pick in 2009) – He's undersized, and extremely raw. But Folsom brings something to the table athletically. He's also been getting better and better each week, which means there's a potential for promising growth. We're not talking a Zach Thomas here. More like a solid special teams contributor. Keeping this inside linebacker on the practice squad would allow him to stick around in the break in case of emergency role say one of the inside linebackers suffers a season-ending injury.

CB Will Billingsley - Billingsley got bounced on and off the practice squad all last season as the Dolphins filled their weekly needs. But this former college safety kept coming back, and that has a lot to do with his raw tools. There's some potential there. But the Dolphins might eventually explore cornerbacks cut by other teams.

Of course there are more players eligible for the practice squad. But let's get real, the Dolphins won't be cutting many of their early draft picks. Some of these practice squad options might be poached. But then again, some might not. You never really know how the 31 other teams value the players on your roster. That's why it's a crap shoot.

So, which long shot are you pulling for? Who deserves to have their stay in Davie extended?

not putting words directly in Ocala Robs mouth
Just know what a staunch homer he is
(Takes on to know one)
HE Thinks we are gonna win every game 50 -3 lol
Known Ocala Rob from back on the old board
Good Solid Fan!

NJ, agreed on Davis. I had Davis in one of my mocks when the draft was getting closer and he appeared to be dropping. I said he would be great value at #25 and I was happy when we drafted him. He was a great value pick.

Knight . do you know who the big o is ( orlando alzugaray ) ? We have a complete idiot waterboy who’s embarrassing hiself right now again who thinks it’s omar kelly. LMFAO. I said omar kelly has 5 olb’s and the big o as a roster stock watch on the ss.

let’s just say i think we will contend 2010! like we did last year! and with the trio only being there 1 year what more can you ask for!
Posted by: Ocala Rob | August 29, 2009 at 02:44 PM
That’s how I’m looking at it. Dolphins football is fun again.

i know who the big o is, but when your on an omar blog when he just released his #’s one would tend to think your talking about him! i’m not a good mind reader! anyway jersey i’m sad you are mad with me! we had strange but good talk’s! and i hope you get over it soon dude!!

Knight , iknow the big o’s roster breakdown is real good . Very similer to mine with ( 9 ! ) LB’S including moses and ( 9 ! ) DB’ S and 10 like some people say. knight it was also amazing how you read my mind and did’t read how i said omar kelly had 5 olb’s and THE BIG O HAS A ROSTER STOCK WATCH ON HIS BLOG IN THE SS. I thought i made that clear , but what do i know.

CBSSports.com reports Miami Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano said he has not decided if WR Greg Camarillo or WR Brian Hartline will start opposite WR Ted Ginn Jr. this season.
So Bess will remain as a 3rd slot WR and PR. Bess doesn’t possess the height or speed to start in my opinion. Not that he could never start, I just view him as more of a 3rd guy.
I think we could see some more trades for late round picks with some of our bubble players. I know the Giants like Brandon London and didn’t want to lose him but we were lurking practice squads last year and had first dibs and snagged him like bunker. LOL
Hilliard could be trade bait, so could maybe one of our LBs Anderson, Moses or Kershaw, or maybe a corner J. Allen or Thomas, or even S Bryan. He’s actually played pretty well but he’s getting caught in a numbers game.

Check out the interview with Vontae Davis on Aquavision at miamidolphins.com
That’s exactly what you want to hear from a young rookie. Davis is going to be a very good player in my opinion. He’ll have his ups and downs but he’ll keep getting better along the way.

The guys who are going to make it hard for the coaching staff to cut are QMosses, CBryan, LHilliard,and JNalbone. Mosses is a very good passrusher but he does not have a mean STeams game, will be hard to keep him because of the overload of players at OLB. CBryan is a STeams beast, goes 100 miles an hour and makes plays (we need all the help we can get on coverge) but we have 4 good Safties and there will be no room for him. LHilliard is a good RB but we do not have the room on the roster for 5 RBs but the problem is what happened last yr when JParmele was poached off waivers when we tried to sneak him on the practice sqaud, I have a feeling Lex will be poached much the same way. JNalbone is a project and we have 3 TEs already, he is not ready for the NFL but has promise and could be poached when we try to sneak him on the practice squad as well. I like Mosses over the others myself he is a passrushing treat and can play on both sides. Lex has come into his own but is not as good as Williams or cobbs at this point, he is a little better runner than Cobbs but does not do all the intangables that Cobbs can do (Cobbs is a jack of all trades can tackle, block punts, catch, run and any thing else you need done). I think if Roth is put on PUP I would keep Mosses over the others.

Oddly – I find myself pulling for Jason Allen. I think he has a niche in the nickel and dime packages and is definitely a gamer on special teams. And I’ve never heard anyone question his work ethic – the guy realizes that playing in the NFL is a prize that must be earned.

Knight I agree the guy acks like he wants to be great but words are meaningless unless he acts on them. If he keeps grinding in practice and stays out of trouble he will be starting for us down the road.

Both J-Peezy and JT have lackluster reputations for stopping the run; this should be of concern with the likelihood of Roth going on the PUP or even possibly IR. Either the best run-stopping OLB on the bubble is going to be retained, or we are going poaching for one after Aug 1st.
I’m pulling for Jason Allen and James Robinson. You all know my take on JA, and I think Robinson could be something REALLY special with his height and speed. While Robinson won’t make the final 53, I hope we retain him on the practice squad (and no one poaches him). He could be a diamond in the rough. Too bad about Anthony Armstrong… he’ll catch on somewhere in time.
GO PHINS!!!

I’m not too concern over the team this year because we didn’t do anything this offseason to prove we’re a better team now and having a chance of repeating AFC Champs. Buffalo went and got TO, Jets Bart Scott and others Patriots always good. We draft too rookie corners thinking that we fix the secondary. We would better of with Goody this year. I expect a nightmare season in Miami, Parcels will finally leave after this season I see it coming.

The onl;y concern is the running game people . Our D is going to be great and Penn is fine but the running between the tackles is the only ?. We have good CBs they are young but will get better every week, we have a good pass rush and will stop the run when it matters the most. I hope this improved line can punch some holes and get Ricky and Ronnie to the next level if that can happen we will go far this yr and all you doomsday nuckle heads need to relax. If we can run the football between the tackles we will eat up even more time off the clock than we did last yr and that will help our D stay fresh through out the game. Ball control is what it is all about, last yr we were able to move the ball with short passes but we could not run the ball in our base Offense, this yr if we get the running game going we will be able to throw deeper passes because the safty will have to step up in the box to stop the run and leave there CBs one on one with Ginn and Co. The D is going to be better than last yr, JT gives us that pass rusher we did not have on the other side of porter, Wilson is better than RHill…. Our Dline has no rooks on it any more and Soliai looks like he is ready to play this yr. Our CBs are young and will have growing pains from time to time but they will be better than Goody no doubt about it, VDavis and SSmith is a much more athletic and gifted than Goody will ever be and with that better passrushing team will only help the secondary. Once GWilson and YBell get on the same page and get used to how each other plays they will be the best Safty tandom in the afc. The key to this season is the running game every thing else is good enough to win.

Gentleman,
We won 11 games last year playing a last place schedule, and got about every break that a team could get. We were for the most part injury free as well. To not expect this team to fall back a bit is not being very realistic. With that said, the trifecta has a solid plan for long term success. Build through the draft and acquire solid depth thereby creating competition at every position. Give it time people. Trading Porter, or acquiring a “star” WR is not the answer. We are not one or two players away. This team is most likely at least a draft or two away. Enjoy the ride, just know we are nowhere near our destination yet. There are many holes yet to fill. We have the right people in place to fill them. Give it time.

Solai, Gardner and Moses all HAVE to stay!
Solai is the back up NT now and has proven himself THIS preseason worthy of the final 53!
Gardner…”left tackle feet”..enough said! The staff have raved about this kid since drafting him. They won’t let him go.
Moses-May not be the GREATEST ST player but his pass rushing skills should keep him on the team.

U can`t cut a guy that`s named Moses simply because his name is really cool and is that of leader, a go between of God and the common folks yearning to be righteous
Amen.
***** The DYNASTY BE FINS! *****

Dolphins will start by winning the AFC EAST and retain their crown As AFC EAST CHAMPIONS
It will not be an easy path
But somethings are meant to be
The Patriots will have some unfortunate physical injuries to some of their keys players
This coupled with some unfortunate bounces of the much heralded ball of pigskin will result in another season missing their goal of playing in the post season
Some Things are controlled by a higher power
***** The DYNASTY BE FINS! *****

Mike, I don’t think we’re that far off but I do think we need one more offseason of free agency and the draft to get to an elite level. This year will be important for so many young players to get their feet wet at the NFL level. Then by next year they’ll know what to expect.
But we also have plenty of seasoned pros to compete now and if a few of the young guys can step up and make an immediate impact, we should be able to compete all year and we’ll see where we stand at the end.

I guess the point I am trying to make is anywhere from 7-10 wins would be a realistic expectation. The OL needs time together to gel. The defense still IMO has many holes, and obviously we could use a game changing WR. Then, once we cross those hurdles Henne or whomever is appointed QB will need a season or two to learn how to win those “big” games. I just don’t see us as close as some others seem to see us. I do see us heading in the right direction though…and it has been a long time since I was able to say that. Just don’t want the naysayers to flood the boards if we start out 2-2 or 1-3. It is going to take time as we are quite young at several key positions.

Mike, I see where you’re coming from but you’re looking at it from more of a the glass is half empty point of view. We have talent on this team and they’re well coached. One area we have proven to be good in is winning close games. So if we can stay in the game and I think we will most of the time, we’ll have a chance to win a lot of games.
I see this team progressing as the season goes on, not regressing. But like you said it’s not impossible that we start off slow.

OMAR KELLY was unsuccessful at achieving his childhood dream to become a super hero, so he figured he'd do the next best thing and become a journalist who fights against injustice, and searches for truth. After being bored to death reporting news and covering politics, he switched to sports.
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IZZY GOULD joined the Sun Sentinel in Feb. 2012 as a Senior Sports Reporter on the Miami Dolphins beat. He came to South Florida fresh off covering the University of Alabama football program, including its 2011 national championship team. More